On Brink Of Final Four, Stanford Calms Down
Courtesy: Stanford Athletics
Release: 03/23/2001
March 23, 2001
ANAHEIM, Calif. - Stanford has calmed down after ending its second-round jinx and moving safely into the West Regional final.
Gone is the panic that made the top-seeded Cardinal jittery in their first two games against UNC Greensboro (a blowout) and St. Joseph's (a scare).
"It seems that the first couple games, we were playing not to lose, instead of just playing to win," forward Ryan Mendez said Friday. "Going into the last game (against Cincinnati), it seemed we were a lot more relaxed."
Stanford (31-2) meets No. 3 seed Maryland (24-10) Saturday in the regional final at Anaheim Arena. The prize is a trip to next week's Final Four in Minneapolis.
"Our goal from the beginning of the season was to win a national championship. We have three more games left to accomplish that goal," guard Michael McDonald said. "I don't think about losing too much."
That was the only thought on Stanford's mind against St. Joe's.
The Cardinal clung to a six-point lead with 20 seconds remaining. Mendez was fouled and went to the line, where he leads the nation in free-throw shooting.
That wasn't enough to reassure Jacobsen.
"It's not over! It's not over!" he yelled at his teammates.
Mendez turned around, smiled at Jacobsen, and said, "It's over when I make these."
"He made the free throws and we went on to win the game. That's the kind of leadership that I respect," Jacobsen said. "Anybody can say calm down, but he does it. That's the kind of example and leadership all teams need, not sayers, but doers."
A year ago, Stanford got bounced in the second round for the fourth time in six years. Jacobsen, a freshman, played with a chip on his shoulder.
"I wanted to do something that would open people's eyes to my talent and dedication. It didn't happen," he said. "This year, I've made leaps and bounds on how calm I feel. I'm more comfortable. I don't feel I have to prove anything."
Yet, Jacobsen remains highly motivated, especially when it comes to defensive assignments. He eagerly anticipates defending Maryland guard Juan Dixon, who averages 18.2 points and needs two points to surpass 1,500 for his three-year career.
"He is one of the best guards moving without the ball. He's always looking for an open seam. He never stands still," said Jacobsen, whose scoring average matches Dixon's. "It's going to be a big-time challenge for me."
Besides trying to reign in 7-foot twins Jason and Jarron Collins, who can shoot as well as dominate the low post, Maryland must contend with Jacobsen's deadly perimeter game. He's coming off a career-high 27 points in the win over Cincinnati on Thursday.
"He's the type of player that likes to set up his game off the catch-and-shoot jump shots," Dixon said. "It's a team effort, so we're going to have to contain him and try to limit his shots."
Maryland coach Gary Williams compares the Collins twins' size to North Carolina, and their shooting touch to Duke.
"They both can pass, they're effective at reading defenses and they shoot the ball pretty well," he said. "They don't just post them up on the block and if the ball gets there, fine. They're a big part of the offense, so they have to be guarded in each half-court possession."
The Terps can throw a variety of bodies at Stanford, allowing them to maintain their uptempo offense. Maryland's reserves have scored 20 or more points in 24 games this season.
"That's our best game, when we run," Williams said. "The only reason I use the bench is because those guys are good enough to come in and not affect the way we play. In fact, they almost play better sometimes."
As good as the individual matchups are, Jacobsen said one person won't make the difference for either team.
"I don't think if a player blows up for 20 or 30, it's going to hurt one team or another," he said. "I don't think Maryland or Stanford would be here right now if we didn't have teams that perform and not just individuals."
By BETH HARRIS
AP Sports Writer